Collective action looming? We’re cocked and loaded.
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Collective action looming? We’re cocked and loaded.
Attention Emirates Pilots.
A few points need to be made crystal clear so that there is no misunderstanding between us. If you manage to read the entire post you will be left in no doubt as to our intentions towards you; the gradient that exists between you and us, your executive management and superiors (you could water ski on the gradient that exists in a typical Korean Airlines Cockpit for comparative purposes) and you all should be left with a nauseous, hollow and sinking feeling in the pit of your stomachs. Savour it, it’s as good as you’ll ever feel for as long as you are here.
For simplicity, directness, clarity and brevity, the remainder of this post shall take the form of headings and bullet points. Read it, digest it, accept it, and then go to work. Profits above all else.
Houston Flight/Layover
Holidays
Basing
Days Off
We have noticed from PPRUNE posts and your Airbus and B777 swap group emails that there still remain murmurings of discontent, and even half hearted attempts at rallying and showing a unified front. Be advised we eat razor blades with our breakfast.
Now read the title of the post again. You have been warned.
Thank you. Keep up the hard work. You have no option.
EK Management.
A few points need to be made crystal clear so that there is no misunderstanding between us. If you manage to read the entire post you will be left in no doubt as to our intentions towards you; the gradient that exists between you and us, your executive management and superiors (you could water ski on the gradient that exists in a typical Korean Airlines Cockpit for comparative purposes) and you all should be left with a nauseous, hollow and sinking feeling in the pit of your stomachs. Savour it, it’s as good as you’ll ever feel for as long as you are here.
For simplicity, directness, clarity and brevity, the remainder of this post shall take the form of headings and bullet points. Read it, digest it, accept it, and then go to work. Profits above all else.
Houston Flight/Layover
- You think you have won a small victory with your 48 hour layovers. The absolute minimum industry standard is 72 hours, so we are still ahead. Don’t take your eyes off the ball. It cannot be impressed enough upon you how furious we are at having had to extend the layover to 48 hours. Even we sometimes find that the threat from first world regulatory authorities and lawyers put a spanner in our works. Don’t expect these layovers to last. Over the coming months we will publish a raft of colorful documents proving how it is possible to operate this, and other, longer flights, with a 24 hour layover. That, coupled with another rubber stamp or two from our compliant regulatory authority will satisfy our lawyers that there will be no comeback on us in the event of a fatigue related accident.
- Your crew rest will remain the same; appalling. First and Business class seats will remain unavailable to you. This will be promulgated shortly, and in due course will be entered into the FOM. We would like to extend a thank you to the several pilots who have written in asking if Economy seats are available. This has made our job much easier, since this request has come from you. This will be made official policy in due course, thus putting an end to the First/Business class seat annoyance. How we laugh at the thought of a 60 year old senior captain jammed into seat 52F. Between an incontinent octogenarian and a bile vomiting infant. You are a source of endless amusement for us.
Holidays
- We love this one. Your leave bids were recently completed, and leave allocation published. You would have received the email from one of our more junior managers crowing that all pilots were awarded the target of 30 days leave. We sit in stunned silence at the lack of response from you as a group. Are you not aware that your contractual entitlement is 42 days? We do what we want, when we want, how we want. Did you know you don’t actually have holidays anymore? How can this be you ask? See below. It’s laid out as plainly as can be.
- No holidays. That is correct. You no longer have any holidays of any sort. By restricting your leave allocation to a maximum of 14 day blocks, we are still able to get nearly 80 hours flying out of you in the remaining two weeks of the month. You have really only been on days off. No penalty to us. Almost all of you have been awarded two blocks of 12 to 14 days ‘leave’. Plus one short block of a totally unusable four days. That’s not leave either. That’s just days off, merely pre-planned. We are now just giving you the opportunity to bid ahead for a block of two weeks of days off, not leave. Why do you think all that time ago credit accrual was stopped whilst on leave? Now you see.
- Good, some of you say. When I resign or retire, I will be owed weeks and weeks of leave, to be paid out at the current salary level. Nice little earner. Wrong. You have never been cheaper, in relative terms, to employ than you are now. And you are getting cheaper by the year. When you finally leave us, the money we will have to pay you will be worth far less in relative terms than it is now. You lose, we’ve had the use of your money for all those years.
- You will now be forced to have two or three ‘leave’ periods per year. But only one Annual Leave Ticket. Forcing you to buy tickets home for the other remaining ‘leave’ blocks. We love making money directly from our staff.
Basing
- Short answer only needed. Not a chance. Do you think we are going to expose ourselves to representation and the laws, courts and media of first world countries? It’s got nothing to do with keeping money ‘in house’. You just don’t figure in those stakes. Perhaps you need to re-read the above and our first three postings.
Days Off
- You will be restricted to six days off in a row, maximum. That includes the abuttal period of any two months. You will not be able to get 12 days off that way. A flight will be inserted. It is much more efficient for us to do this to you. Your manually inserted days in your strings of days off can also be considered as stop gap reserve days, as of course we can change whatever duty has been inserted as we see fit. Also, since you are forced to remain in Dubai, we anticipate a greater positive response if a change to your manually inserted duty goes into one of your days off. You will receive your miniscule payment, and we have just saved a bundle. Some recent smart posters have also suggested that we may swell the ranks of the training department as a result of this yet to be announced policy. 100% correct.
We have noticed from PPRUNE posts and your Airbus and B777 swap group emails that there still remain murmurings of discontent, and even half hearted attempts at rallying and showing a unified front. Be advised we eat razor blades with our breakfast.
Now read the title of the post again. You have been warned.
Thank you. Keep up the hard work. You have no option.
EK Management.
Any one else getting tired of this clown?
With the leave allocation I have 28 days straight in April/May and my full 42 for the year.
Oh yes you do!!
I could only assume anyone making these kind of posts MUST be activley seeking employment elsewhere. If not, why not? So it begs the question, why not just shut up and LEAVE?
With the leave allocation I have 28 days straight in April/May and my full 42 for the year.
You have no option.
I could only assume anyone making these kind of posts MUST be activley seeking employment elsewhere. If not, why not? So it begs the question, why not just shut up and LEAVE?
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Well, after many many more years in the company than Wizofoz my leave allocation is very close to thirty days of total rubbish, so I'm with EKM on this.
Congrats on the Training Post Oz.
Congrats on the Training Post Oz.
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Pathetic. As one of the senior drivers here I laugh at the small-minded efforts of you and your cronies, Management. None of your tactics are original and none is even particularly clever. Not that I mind either way; I'm on the top increment and I cost you a lot to keep here. 
I occasionally drop a spanner in your works (oops!) but never deep enough to land myself in any difficulties. Sometimes I get nervous and order several extra tons of fuel to ease the stress. It works! Yes, one or two of the uninitiated have attempted to reason with the talking heads you've installed but 98% of us do as we please despite your urgings via the inbox. And you never ever catch on!! Fools. Your red herring regarding the bases we all know are coming are infantile. We all have our applications in with the contract companies you've already approached in a sad attempt to avoid offering the overseas positions to the incumbents. Where do you think the 500 qualified wide-body pilots you think you're "planning" to hire are going to come from? See you on da flip side!! Hilarious!! Good luck crewing the rest of the fleet; I'll only be concerned about the ship I'm flying as I extract my top-rung salary from you. By the way, the three children I adopted from some eastern-European slum or other, all wish to say a big thankyou for sponsoring thir schooling. The eldest is about to graduate and just in time because #4 will be along any day. If I could remember their names I'd mention them specifically but I have to even meet them, you see. It's just a project of mine and it netts me half the allowance you dole out. Well, I've called in sick today (after 6pm so I went to the American Hospital instead of your one) and I must make the most of it; off to meet the other old codgers down at Long's and perve at some Russian totty. Roll on summer... this winter's project was installing a number of cheap airconditioners around the front yard. No more sitting indoors for me, this summer.
I occasionally drop a spanner in your works (oops!) but never deep enough to land myself in any difficulties. Sometimes I get nervous and order several extra tons of fuel to ease the stress. It works! Yes, one or two of the uninitiated have attempted to reason with the talking heads you've installed but 98% of us do as we please despite your urgings via the inbox. And you never ever catch on!! Fools. Your red herring regarding the bases we all know are coming are infantile. We all have our applications in with the contract companies you've already approached in a sad attempt to avoid offering the overseas positions to the incumbents. Where do you think the 500 qualified wide-body pilots you think you're "planning" to hire are going to come from? See you on da flip side!! Hilarious!! Good luck crewing the rest of the fleet; I'll only be concerned about the ship I'm flying as I extract my top-rung salary from you. By the way, the three children I adopted from some eastern-European slum or other, all wish to say a big thankyou for sponsoring thir schooling. The eldest is about to graduate and just in time because #4 will be along any day. If I could remember their names I'd mention them specifically but I have to even meet them, you see. It's just a project of mine and it netts me half the allowance you dole out. Well, I've called in sick today (after 6pm so I went to the American Hospital instead of your one) and I must make the most of it; off to meet the other old codgers down at Long's and perve at some Russian totty. Roll on summer... this winter's project was installing a number of cheap airconditioners around the front yard. No more sitting indoors for me, this summer.
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Management (yeah right !)
Hey you 
moron, it must take you all day to write those posts. Nothing better to do? No life ? Do you actually think anybody believes your bull****? Anyway, you keep thinking up your long boring posts, and we'll keep laughing !!
moron, it must take you all day to write those posts. Nothing better to do? No life ? Do you actually think anybody believes your bull****? Anyway, you keep thinking up your long boring posts, and we'll keep laughing !!
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EKM - Very good, loved the bit about the seat 52F. 
Just a shame that it's how most people feel about Napoleon et al.
BTW, You may notice that it's only the expats who are being limited to 6 days off in a row. Doesn't apply to nationals
Just a shame that it's how most people feel about Napoleon et al.
BTW, You may notice that it's only the expats who are being limited to 6 days off in a row. Doesn't apply to nationals
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Hey WizofOz,
I can see why you would be getting sick of this clown as having it laid out bare like this is not particularly pleasent. I have a bad feeling that a lot of what that clown says is pretty on the mark. Out of interest because you say you have all 42 days off this year and 28 over april/may and be honest here are your holdays in april/may quite close to being last two weeks/first two weeks? If they are then that is exactly what the clown was saying, you will still do close to 80 hours in each month so not really holidays are they? Are you counting a week or so of holdays before the end of march as your 42 days is so then you still only have about 30 days of leave in the leave year since leave year is april/april.
I can see why you would be getting sick of this clown as having it laid out bare like this is not particularly pleasent. I have a bad feeling that a lot of what that clown says is pretty on the mark. Out of interest because you say you have all 42 days off this year and 28 over april/may and be honest here are your holdays in april/may quite close to being last two weeks/first two weeks? If they are then that is exactly what the clown was saying, you will still do close to 80 hours in each month so not really holidays are they? Are you counting a week or so of holdays before the end of march as your 42 days is so then you still only have about 30 days of leave in the leave year since leave year is april/april.
short flights long nights
And they are hoping to attract people????!!!!!????
WTF- Thanks and I'm sorry if your leave is in the crapper- That isn't acceptable and something that should be fixed if they want to attract and retain such high calibre people as your good self.
emiratesf hucker- Nope, work first week of April then off till second week in May.
BTW, I haven't seen anything saying we are only to get six day breaks. Is this in writing somewhere or is it just being assumed because Feb seemed to be a particularly badly handled month by scheduling?
emiratesf hucker- Nope, work first week of April then off till second week in May.
BTW, I haven't seen anything saying we are only to get six day breaks. Is this in writing somewhere or is it just being assumed because Feb seemed to be a particularly badly handled month by scheduling?
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EKM, all too true, through the sarcasm. Greetings to Napoleon, he's standing nicely now.
Now what's the effect? Still not enough to leave instantly. But it's approaching for real, everone's looking around. They will get newbees, but at a horrendous cost ( .... ).
Immediate effect: My estimate is that on every flight it's in the techs hands to save up to 3000$, with fuel, flight time cost, short cuts, reroute where dispatch f%$*s up, and especially by enhancing on time ops and info during delays to accomodate connections etc. etc. Actually i couldn't care less, because the company does not care about its emplyees. We're not alone ... look at the discipline of the cc and look at the abysmal performance of ground crew (bags in DXB!).
Dear TC: This is a direct consequence of your treatment of employees.
If skippers can save doe, others can do aswell. Actually almost nobody bothers. Even my 12 year old can sum up that much more would be up your a*&% if every one would only save say a quarter of his potential, - if he was simply rewarded the REAL inflation and his tiny but fair share of the REAL profit.
Back to sleep on duty
Now what's the effect? Still not enough to leave instantly. But it's approaching for real, everone's looking around. They will get newbees, but at a horrendous cost ( .... ).
Immediate effect: My estimate is that on every flight it's in the techs hands to save up to 3000$, with fuel, flight time cost, short cuts, reroute where dispatch f%$*s up, and especially by enhancing on time ops and info during delays to accomodate connections etc. etc. Actually i couldn't care less, because the company does not care about its emplyees. We're not alone ... look at the discipline of the cc and look at the abysmal performance of ground crew (bags in DXB!).
Dear TC: This is a direct consequence of your treatment of employees.
If skippers can save doe, others can do aswell. Actually almost nobody bothers. Even my 12 year old can sum up that much more would be up your a*&% if every one would only save say a quarter of his potential, - if he was simply rewarded the REAL inflation and his tiny but fair share of the REAL profit.
Back to sleep on duty
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EKM Habibi, all too true. Just the way it is, newbies or wannabees take note.
Don't get dazzled by the shiny big jets, they have crap bunks for those nice 17 hour sectors, crap days off now. Leave is a lottery. Many have dusted their CV's off and are applying elsewhere, just ask why.
Like GMDS says, many make life easier operationally, by loading up on fuel. Dispatch f**k ups are commonplace, so you will probably need it anyhow.
SyB
Don't get dazzled by the shiny big jets, they have crap bunks for those nice 17 hour sectors, crap days off now. Leave is a lottery. Many have dusted their CV's off and are applying elsewhere, just ask why.
Like GMDS says, many make life easier operationally, by loading up on fuel. Dispatch f**k ups are commonplace, so you will probably need it anyhow.
SyB
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I picked up the phone about the Feb roster and had it confirmed. Bad enough as it is but not to publish something for the March bid is pretty low. Cant help feeling that EKM is on to something. I'm in the extra fuel camp myself but its all so unneccesary and depressing. Since the arrival of TCK it has truly been a slow steady descent in every way.GJ in the unlikely event you are reading this where are you now - I will even wear my hat! Wonder if there is any milage in approaching HH and requesting a forum to collectively raise "mutual issues" Thats probably my permenent exit stamp for even suggesting such a thing but with over 2000 of us (I think) we must be the largest single professional group in the UAE. Also needs someone to be the sacrificial lamb. Will all of this actually come back and bite them though ? Hard to know as in the past they have always scraped through but numbers are getting prettty big now. We will see.
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EKM: sad but true reflection of the attitude here.
W1: As far as discussing 'mutual issues' is concerned that door was firmly closed by TCTC. He gave up after many acrimonious meetings in the past and has left it to TCAS and Ed to 'talk' at us instead. Now even they find it hard to look us in the face when they spout the party line.
EKM will now try and use the recession stick and 'market conditions remain difficult' to justify a sub standard pay rise while profits remain 'exceptional'.
However, demand for experienced pilots remains very high, especially ones who fly 777s and 330/340/380s, the pilots EK take for granted. We will lose more experienced pilots this year and continue to do so steadily over the next few years.
Like Dubai EK is being built up cheap and fast, but the workmanship is poor and cracks are all too obvious those on the inside.
W1: As far as discussing 'mutual issues' is concerned that door was firmly closed by TCTC. He gave up after many acrimonious meetings in the past and has left it to TCAS and Ed to 'talk' at us instead. Now even they find it hard to look us in the face when they spout the party line.
EKM will now try and use the recession stick and 'market conditions remain difficult' to justify a sub standard pay rise while profits remain 'exceptional'.
However, demand for experienced pilots remains very high, especially ones who fly 777s and 330/340/380s, the pilots EK take for granted. We will lose more experienced pilots this year and continue to do so steadily over the next few years.
Like Dubai EK is being built up cheap and fast, but the workmanship is poor and cracks are all too obvious those on the inside.
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The CRS bidding system implies logical, equitable, systematic and achievable and reasonable.
As these qualities are not in line with company managerial ethos, it is destined to fail or be abandoned.
As these qualities are not in line with company managerial ethos, it is destined to fail or be abandoned.
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Definitely not tired of ekm. It's brilliant because it's so near the truth. TC2 must be concerned someone's stolen his management model.
I'm more weary of those with their heads in the sand and their bums in the air (taking it happily). The prune cycle must be about 4-5 years long I reckon. From negative mongrels to truth talkers in about that period.
I'm more weary of those with their heads in the sand and their bums in the air (taking it happily). The prune cycle must be about 4-5 years long I reckon. From negative mongrels to truth talkers in about that period.
Dont listen to the tozzers that don't like it, its fun and has an air of truth so keep it coming, well done!! 
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Advise
Excuse Me Guys... Im Planning To Join Your Company Cause Over Here Its Worse Than Anything For Sure. The Fact Is That I Am A Fo And I Am Worried Wether The Conditions There Are So Bad I Shouldn't Move Now Or Still Good To Build Up A Carrer. Previous Cpt In 737, Now Flying 320's With My Promotion Comimg Up This Year In Air Macau. Anyone Can Give Me A Hint? Thx A Lot And Wish You All The Best.